Spring-wheel.



R. M. BURGESS. SPRING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED 00114, 1911.

Patented Feb. 11, 1913.

AI m M w 5 z R M p .7 m I ROBERT M. BURGESS, OF COLUMBIA, MISSOURI.

SPRING-WHEEL.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT M. BURGESS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbia, in the county of Boone and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Spring-Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention provides a novel form of wheel in which the hub, spokes and rim have a limited relative play, with the result that the impact on the tire is received in a manner to relieve the shock, to maintain an equilibrium andto decrease the rolling friction of the wheel.

tures, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth,illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the appended claim.

Referring to the drawing, forming a part of the specification, Figure l is a side view of a spring wheel embodying the invention 2 having a portion in section; Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line m an of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the rim,'showing the curved seat for reception of the collar or shoulder provided upon the outer portion of the spoke. Fig. 4 is a detail view'of the outer portion of the spoke.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all theviews of the drawing, by the same reference characters.

The hub of the wheel comprises two parts or sections 1 and 2 which are adapted to be secured by means of bolts or like fastenings 3.. Sockets 4 are formed in the outer portion of the hub to receive the inner ends of the spokes 5. The outer portion of the hub has projecting portions 6 in line with the spoke sockets 4. The projecting portions 6 result in the provision of extended spoke sockets and also receive the end thrust of helical springs 7, which are mounted upon thespokes 5.

The rim 8 has spoke sockets 9 corresponding in number and position with the outer ends of the spokes 5. Inner projections 10 are formed upon the inner wall of the rim 8 in line with the spoke sockets 9 and result in the formation of extended spoke sockets. The spoke sockets 9 are elongated circumferentially, thereby admitting of a relative play of the rim in a vertical plane so as to Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 14, 1911.

The invention consists of the novel fea- ,stantially horizontal position.

Patented. Feb. 11,1913. Serial No. 654,685.

prevent bending ofthe spokes that may happen to occupy an approximately horizontal position. The rim 8 may be of any construction and usually consists of metal which may be provided with a tire ll'of any variety or make. The inner ends of the projections 10 are curved circumferentially to form seats against which collars or shoulders 12 at the outer ends of the spokes obtain a bearmg. i

The spokes 5 may be of any construction and usually consist of metal tubing. The inner ends of the spokes fit snugly within the sockets A and have a limited radial move- 'ment therein. The outer ends of the spokes are made angular, as indicated at' 13, to fit within the spoke sockets 9. The spokes at their outer ends fit snugly between the side walls of the sockets 9 but have a limited circumferential movement in the-plane of the wheel, thereby preventing bending of the spokes which may happen to occupy a sub- The collars 12 are shrunk uponor otherwise'rigidly secured to the outer end portions of the spokes in position to obtain a bearing upon the curved ends of the projections 10. These collars 12 also form stop shoulders to limit the outward movement of the spokeswith reference to the rim and also to receive the end thrust of the springs 7.

The springs 7 are eXpansi-ble and of helical form and are constructed of stout wire having a tension to withstand the strainand load to which the wheel is to be subjected.

The springs 7 are slipped upon the spokes and are confined between the collars or stop shoulders 12 and the projections 6 of the hub.

When the wheel is in operation the rim has a relative vertical play which is sus tained by means of the springs 7, the spokes having a'limited radial m vement by the play providedbetween their inner ends and the spoke sockets 4. The construction is such that any spoke may be easily replaced inthe event of damage thereto.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of the'method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the embodiment thereof,

I desire to have it understood that the de- Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is v A spring wheel comprising a sectional hub havingspoke sockets partly formed in the sections, said hub having projecting portions in line with the spoke sockets, spokes having their inner. ends fitted within thesockets' of the hub and having a limited radial. move ment therein, said spokes having their outer ends made angular and provided at the base of -the angular portions with stop-shoulders, a rim having circumferentially elongated the stop shoulders at the outer ends of the spokes, and helical'springs of the expansible type mounted upon the spokes and confined.

between the projections of the hub and stop shoulders near the outer ends of the spokes. In testimony whereofI affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

7 ROBERT M. BURGESS. Witnesses R. WARREN ROBERTS, HERLEY S. DAILY. 

